Word Origin & History

unctuous late 14c., "oily," from O.Fr. unctueus, from M.L. unctuosus "greasy," from L. unctus "act of anointing," from pp. stem of unguere "to anoint" (see unguent). Figurative sense of "blandly ingratiating" is first recorded 1742, perhaps in part with a literal sense, but in part a sarcastic usage from unction in the meaning "deep spiritual feeling" (1690s), such as comes from having been anointed in the rite of unction.

Example Sentences for unctuosity

If they be but heated so as to boil, they become acrid, lose much of their unctuosity, and acquire a very pungent odour.

What he has missed is dignity: his pitfalls have been unctuosity, on the one side, bravado on the other.

It has in part the unctuosity of bees' wax, and somewhat of the brittleness of resin.